The second seed of the Class C-1 District Baseball Tournament didn't quite do enough to best the No. 3 seed Thursday in Malcolm.
The Fort Calhoun Pioneers lost to West Point-Beemer/GACC 5-2, closing the spring season 9-12 overall.
“Everybody did a little bit, but not a lot of bit,” coach Roy Prauner said.
The postseason tourney was delayed as the field dried out from overnight rains, but the coach didn't view that as a reason the Pioneers couldn't put together enough offense to advance into the title game. Instead, he credited West Point's left-handed pitcher, Colten Haber.
“We just couldn't get anything going against him,” Prauner said. “For some reason, he's got our number.”
At the same time, FCHS senior Declyn Otte pitched a complete game with six strikeouts. He allowed four earned runs, but kept the Pioneers in the game.
“Declyn pitched his butt off,” Prauner said.
West Point led from the start, though, scoring a run during the first inning and two more during the top of the third frame. Calhoun pulled within 3-2, but it was as close as it would get from there on.
Prauner said the Pioneers “didn't quite close the gate” in a situation or two to keep their opposition from scoring.
Offensively, FCHS had six players — AJ Duros, Sam Genoways, Carter Christensen, Otte, Alex Christensen and Jordan Back — notch a hit apiece. Duros and Genoways plated runs, while Carter Christensen doubled.
It wasn't quite enough to produce the necessary runs to continue the season, though.
“Never got traction, you know?” Prauner said.
In the end, the coach still felt the Pioneers put together a respectable spring campaign. They didn't quite meet their potential, but Fort Calhoun was close to breaking through more often than not.
“For the most part, good season,” Prauner said. “Just never got over the hump.”
He anticipates a big summer for the Senior Legion team as it adds a few players to the roster. The coach hopes Post 348 finds success under head coach Jerry Wellwood, his school season assistant, because they've earned it with hard work.
“Good group of kids,” Prauner said.
FCHS BASEBALL LINE SCORE
Thursday
West Point-Beemer/GACC 5, Blair 2
GACC (9-7) 1 0 2 1 1 0 0 — 5 10 0
FCHS (9-12) 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 — 2 6 1
